The barricades are going to be seeing some familiar faces, and some brand-new ones, in December, as the Les Misérables cast for the show’s return to the Sondheim Theatre has been announced.
So, who’s going to asking if you can hear the people sing? And will you be joining them on their crusade?
Fantine – Carrie Hope Fletcher and Rachelle Ann Go
Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently playing Fantine in the staged concert version of Les Misérables, and she’ll be reprising the role when the show transfers back to the Sondheim. No stranger to the show, Carrie has performed in over 900 Les Misérables shows in the role of Eponine. Initially cast at the adorable age of nine as Young Eponine, when Carrie grew up, so did Eponine, and Carrie went onto perform the older Eponine in the show. A huge accomplishment, Carrie is currently the only British actor to have performed both young and older Eponine in Les Misérables, and if that wasn’t enough, Carrie is the longest-running Eponine in the London production’s 30-year history.
But Carrie won’t be the only Fantine, as Rachelle Ann Go will be playing the role for seven weeks in the Spring, before taking over the role permanently next summer. A role she has played before, Rachelle is currently playing Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton, a role she has played since the show opened in London. Rachelle also played Gigi in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Miss Saigon in 2014, a role she reprised when the show opened on Broadway in 2017.
Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Fantine from 18 December 2019 until 29 February 2020 and then again from 20 April 2020 until 25 July 2020. Rachelle Ann Go will play the role from 2 March 2020 until 18 April 2020 and then again from 27 July 2020.
Jean Valjean – Jon Robyns
Playing the iconic prisoner 24601 is Jon Robyns. You may recognise Jon from his current stint in the hit musical Hamilton, where he’s playing the royally hilarious role of King George. A familiar face on the West End, Jon also originated the roles of Princeton and Rod in the London production of Avenue Q. But Jon is also a familiar face to the barricades, as he’s previously played both Marius and Enjolras in Les Misérables and taken part in huge anniversary tours.
Javert – Bradley Jaden
Returning to play the hunting Javert is Bradley Jaden. Bradley had been playing this very role when the show took a temporary break and moved next door. But he’s remained a cast member of the crusades and is currently playing the role of Enjolras in the staged concert production. As well as taking part in anniversary productions of Les Misérables, Bradley has also trodden the West End stages in hit shows like Wicked (where he played Fiyero) and Shrek The Musical.
Eponine – Shan Ako
Shan is currently playing Eponine in the staged concert version of the show, and its a role she’ll get to keep playing when the show transfers back to its previous home. A recent graduate from the Brit School, the staged concert of Les Misérables was her West End debut.
Cosette – Lily Kerhoas
Just like Shan, Lily has been performing the role of Cosette in the staged concert production and will keep this role when the show transfers. Also like Shan, Lily made her West End debut in the show this year.
Thénardier – Gerard Carey
The role of mischevious landlord Thénardier, will be played by Gerard Carey. Gerard originated the role of Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins and played James Walsingham and the Photographer in Half A Sixpence, both at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre. His other credits include A Christmas Carol for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre, Master Class at the Vaudeville Theatre and the national tour of Shrek The Musical.
Madame Thénardier – Josefina Gabrielle
The long-suffering wife Madame Thénardier will be played by Josefina Gabrielle. Josefina was most recently seen as Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Olivier nominated performances in Sweet Charity, Merrily We Roll Along and as Laurey in Oklahoma! She has also played Roxie in Chicago at the Adelphi theatre, Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! at Regent’s Park and Mrs Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Enjolras – Ashley Gilmour
Ashley recently played the lead role of Chris in the International tour of Miss Saigon. He also appeared in the West End production at the Prince Edward Theatre. His other theatre credits include Link Larkin in the national tour of Hairspray.
They will be joined by Kelly Agbowu, Ciarán Bowling, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris.
Cameron Mackintosh said,
“As Les Mis enters its 35th year in London, I am thrilled that we have found a brilliant and exciting cast to open my new production at the Sondheim theatre , many of whom were not even born when the show first opened!…It is a testament to Víctor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece and Boublil & Schönberg’s brilliant musical adaptation that Les Misérables continues to attract such stellar talent to the world’s longest-running musical.”
The show has temporarily been performing a staged concert version next door at the Gielgud Theatre, while the Sondheim Theatre went under some major renovation and refurbishments.
Les Misérables will return to the Sondheim Theatre from 18 December. Tickets are available now.